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About The Restaurant

Luckily you don’t have to be a ‘ Toad of Toad Hall’ mucking around on the river to enjoy Keenan’s of Tarmonbarry. Certainly my better half was never good on the waterways and regales us regularly about how he and six of his mates, in their single days, used take a boat on the River Shannon for a week. This doughty crew ended up having to be rescued by a vast Viking Ship which was being used in a movie being shot on the Shannon. However, one thing Brendan did have in common with Toad of TH, was that he liked good food and comforts, which brings me to Keenan’s of Tarmonbarry.

Keenan’s of Tarmonbarry started out as old Victorian pub on the waters edge. It was established in 1838 so there is a real history there. One wonders what the ancestors would think now of this traditional public house, oozing with authentic charm, now with an extremely smart restaurant and boutique hotel to the side. It is a lovely place to go and relax for a weekend and its food is famous far and wild.

The present generation, Barry & Annette Keenan, who are 5th generation here by the river, have done everything to make Keenan’s a destination venue for food and accommodation, and it certainly is. Imagine just waking up in the mornings, away from the hustle and bustle of city life, and looking out at the happenings on the river right outside your window. There are some 12 very smart bedrooms with all comforts and facilities. It is great to just be able to go to the pub after dinner for a nightcap and a bit of craic with the locals.

There is food available all over the place both day and night. Food here is fulsome and lavish, with particular focus on local and seasonal produce, with an eclectic twist. The bar menu includes popular stalwarts such as deep fried Brie drizzled with raspberry vinaigrette on a bed of mixed leaf, or garlic mushrooms with a tossed salad. Spicy fish cake comes with a chunky tomato pepper and coriander salsa whilst Cajun Chicken Caesar can be had as a starter or mains.

Bar mains include chicken goujons served with a side salad and chips with garlic or ginger and chilli mayo. Fresh salmon fillet is with a side salad and chips whilst fresh baked white haddock is on a coriander and horseradish mash. I love their deep fried Scampi with side salad and chips, and they also do a great homemade beef burger with red onion marmalade and chips. You can of course get a great steak, sirloin or fillet, on colcannon mash served with saute mushrooms or onion rings, with side salad or chips, and your choice of sauce – pepper or garlic butter. If you want something lighter they also do excellent sandwiches all day – Toasted Special, Toast BLT, Open Chicken or prawn, all with interesting trimmings be it chilli and ginger mayo or wholegrain mustard, or Marie Rose sauce.

Whether you dine in the bar or the restaurant, the food is smashing. Evening Specials might include Kelly’s of Newport great black pudding on a bacon and cabbage mash served with a creamy wholegrain mustard sauce. Are you hungry?
Think then of chicken and mango spring roll with sweet chilli dipping sauce or a lovely smoked salmon and crabmeat parcel with freshly toasted bread. They also have low-calorie healthy options such as baked seabass with aromatic coconut and lime rice served with mango and avocado salsa or warm satay chicken on a Thai salad of beansprouts, pak-choi, pineapple mangetout and roasted nuts. They also do post fish ‘n chips in the form of fresh beer battered cod with homemade Tartare sauce. The A La Carte menu in the restaurant also has dishes which include honey roast duck on Thai stir-fry noodle with ginger, lemongrass, sherry and soya dipping sauce. Hake is with a citrus and herb butter on coriander mash with cherry tomato salso. Don’t forget to leave room for puds – sinful Bailey’s Malteser cheesecake, fresh fruit and cream Pavlova, Apple and Rhubarb crumble, Chocca Mocha Gateaux – yum.

By the way they also have a great Sunday Lunch menu with all the favourites – prime roast beef with all the trimmings, loin of pork with apple sauce, turkey and ham…..